Brazil prosecutors sue Chinese carmaker BYD for violating labor rights
Chinese carmaker BYD
, holding it responsible for human trafficking and "
slavery-like conditions
" for workers building a factory in its biggest market outside China.
The lawsuit seeks 257 million reais ($45 million) in moral damages from BYD and two contractors, JinJiang and Tecmonta, according to the statement from the labor prosecutors' office, along with individual compensation for workers.
Prosecutors are also looking to force the companies to comply with various labor rules and seek a fine of 50,000 reais for each breach, multiplied by the number of affected workers.
In response, BYD said it is committed to upholding human rights and respects Brazilian and international labor protections. The company also said in a statement that it has been cooperating with labor prosecutors and will respond to the lawsuit in court documents.
In December, prosecutors said 220 Chinese workers hired by BYD contractors in the Brazilian state of Bahia were found working in "slavery-like conditions." Prosecutors said they were also victims of
international human trafficking
.
Fabio Leal, a deputy labor prosecutor, said in an interview that talks with the three companies began in late December, but failed to reach an agreement. He declined to provide further details on why the talks were unsuccessful.
Leal said the workers were brought to Brazil illegally and promised working conditions that were not fulfilled. He said the Chinese workers, who have all returned to China, would receive any payouts from a lawsuit there, with the companies in Brazil responsible for providing proof of payment.
Leal added that a settlement is still possible, although now it will need to be facilitated through the court.
"Our lawsuit is very well-founded, with a substantial amount of evidence provided during the investigation process," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Modi's Namibia visit powers India's Africa strategy
In the wake of a closely watched BRICS summit in Brazil, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's maiden visit to Namibia on July 9 has captivated global attention, marking the culmination of a landmark five-nation state visit that included Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil. The state visit, beginning in Ghana and ending in Namibia, underscores India's renewed commitment to Africa and the broader Global South framework. On the other hand, high-level cross-continental itinerary, spanning Latin America to Africa, highlights India's strategic intent to rekindle historic ties and build solidarity among Global South nations — especially at a time when the G77, the largest bloc of developing nations, is seen as increasingly irrelevant. PM Modi's State visit to sub-Saharan region is came at a time when several other western leaders were scheduled or expected to visit the sub-Saharan region. Around the same time, Washington is engaging the West African leaders and contemplating new ways to strengthen ties with Africa, unnerved by Chinese influence in the continent. Although India has historic ties with Namibia – there's a serious gap in State level visit and this heads of government level visit occurs after 27 years. Sam Nujoma, the leader of SWAPO (the party behind independence struggle) and founding president of Namibia, who visited India several times acknowledged India's help during the liberation process. While in Windhoek, Namibia, PM Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah tabled areas of cooperation such as agriculture, critical minerals, education, digital technology, defence and security, and health care. Earlier this year, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi began his State visit from Namibia — a nation with bilateral trade with China totalling approximately $1.4 billion. The BRI signatory nation is laying Trans-Kalahari Railway and several other infra and connectivity projects, mandating the One China Policy. China accounts about 30% of the nation's foreign trade. Although there's a sharp rise in India's bilateral trade with Namibia the is about $ 600 million. The two countries have pushed for the conclusion of Preferential Trade Agreement between India and South African Customs Union (SACU). Followed by this visit, the two nations are expected to work on boosting trade of items like oil and gas, hydrocarbons, petrol chemicals, crude digital health and critical minerals. The maiden visit of PM Modi to this uranium-rich Namibia was at a time when New Delhi is actively seeking to expand its uranium imports to support its growing nuclear energy drive. Namibia is largest producer of uranium in the world, and it has lithium, zinc, and some other rare earth metals to offer. India has announced plans to import at least 9,000 metric tonne units of uranium between 2025 and 2033 to supply new reactors under the National Nuclear Energy Mission. India has a plan to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 and the low quality of its domestic reserves is part of a broader effort to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The nation has recently discovered oil and gas reserves, particularly in its offshore Orange Basin. India has a deep interest to explore collaboration in the sphere. The two nations have more to explore areas such as diamond trading. There's a serious issue in direct diamond trading between India and Namibia – Indian side is working to make a way for direct diamond trading. Currently, India sources diamonds from the region via intermediaries such as Dubai, London, or third countries. India and Namibia the two are aspiring nations in the reserving culture and promoting heritage. The Himba tribe in Namibia's Kunene has earned fame for preserving their traditional lifestyle, clothing, and beliefs, remaining unaffected by modern influences. During the visit of PM Modi, India and Namibia signed two MoUs on the setting up of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Namibia and Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine. Namibia also announced starting of a digital payment system by end of the year and entering to India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Bio Fuel Alliance. During his visit, PM Modi was conferred with the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, Namibia's highest civilian award. There is also an interesting personal connection between Prime Minister Modi and Namibia: On September 17, 2022, his 72nd birthday, India welcomed its first batch of eight cheetahs from Namibia, marking the historic return of the species to Kuno National Park after decades of local extinction. The release of these cheetahs was overseen by Modi. The nation deserves a very significant place – when India is forming Big Cat Alliance to save tigers. Uranium, critical minerals, digital payment and diamonds are poised to infuse new vitality into the bilateral relationship between New Delhi and Windhoek, illuminating the path for deeper cooperation. Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world but as the same time it is world's one of most arid countries, with just one per cent territory being arable. In the north of the nation, there's a culture of farming cowpea and millet. India and Namibia may find ways to bring result on irrigation, scarce water management and hybrid-agriculture. India is in a position to help Namibia for innovative agricultural practices to address food insecurity in sub-Saharan region. Under the leadership of first female President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who comes with her foreign ministerial experience the nation is vocal about a chair for Africa at the United Nations Security Council. As both nations look toward meaningful reforms in global governance, this visit has rekindled the bonhomie between New Delhi and Windhoek, laying the foundation for a partnership defined by shared ambition, and a commitment to the progress of the Global South. This article is authored by Ayanangsha Maitra, journalist and programme coordinator, Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South, UAE.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Crushed by exhaustion, delivery man breaks down into tears: 'I regret leaving school'
A deeply moving video of a Chinese food delivery worker breaking down during his shift has stirred widespread attention on social media, highlighting the extreme mental and physical strain faced by gig economy workers. Dressed in a yellow delivery uniform and helmet, the man was seen crying uncontrollably as he opened up about the pressures of his daily life. Physically Exhausted, Emotionally Drained In the now-viral clip, the driver speaks about working 10-hour days without any real opportunity for rest. He describes his routine as one that leaves him "exhausted like a dog" and says he cannot afford to slow down even for a moment. Any lapse in effort, he explains, directly affects his ability to feed himself. The constant anxiety of not meeting daily targets has worn him down, both mentally and physically. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing PGDM Design Thinking Data Analytics Technology Operations Management Leadership CXO Data Science Product Management Healthcare Others others Degree Artificial Intelligence healthcare Finance MCA Public Policy Project Management Management Cybersecurity Data Science MBA Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details The man shares that he often feels overwhelmed by the burdens of his job and regrets the decisions that led him to this point. He says he dropped out of school at a young age, despite warnings from teachers, and now feels that his life would have been different if he had chosen to continue his education. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Algeria: Jewelry On Sale For Half Price (See Price List) Jewelry | Search Ads Learn More Undo Regret Over Past Choices Speaking through tears, the delivery worker says he wishes he had studied harder instead of leaving school early. He acknowledges that his decision was driven by stubbornness, and it is a choice he now deeply regrets. The emotional toll of not being able to support his parents or live a life of his choosing weighs heavily on him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHINA IN A MINUTE (@chinaminutes) He adds that the combination of relentless work hours and unending stress has left him without hope or someone to confide in. The video captures a moment of deep vulnerability as he admits to feeling like a failure in the eyes of his family and himself. Public Response and Broader Concerns The video resonated with thousands of viewers, many of whom expressed their sympathy and concern for the driver. Comments poured in acknowledging the broader issue of burnout and insecurity in gig-based jobs. Some users emphasized the need for societal support systems that allow people second chances, such as opportunities to resume education later in life. Others reminded him that even degree-holders today face similar struggles in an increasingly difficult job market. The situation brings to light the growing concerns over labor conditions in the gig economy. Last year, a similar tragedy occurred when another Chinese delivery worker reportedly died while napping on his bike after an 18-hour shift. According to friends, he was the sole breadwinner of his family and sometimes slept for only three hours before starting work again.
The Hindu
39 minutes ago
- The Hindu
China, U.S. to extend tariff pause at Sweden talks by another 90 days: Report
Beijing and Washington are expected to extend their tariff truce by another three months at trade talks in Stockholm beginning on Monday (July 28, 2025), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. During the expected 90-day extension, the U.S. and China will agree not to introduce new tariffs or take other actions that could further escalate the trade war, the report said. While the earlier discussions in Geneva and London focused on "de-escalation", the latest meeting the Chinese delegation will also press Mr. Trump's trade team on fentanyl-related tariffs, the report further said, citing three sources familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The third round of U.S.-China talks is set to be held in Stockholm on Monday to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the centre of the countries' trade war.
